- The widely reported fact that Lee Rowley is the 16th Housing Minister since 2010 remains problematic. He has less than a year to do anything, and this isn’t much time.
- Is housing a big priority for the current PM – the fact that Sunak didn’t mention it in his conference speech and hasn’t made it one of his five key priorities is also an issue.
- There are two Bills in the King’s Speech which deal with housing in general but they are both about existing homes – the Renters (Reform) Bill and the Leasehold and Freehold Bill. Although they are not politically contentious in what they do, there will be attempts to make them do more.
- Major changes to the planning regime can’t be done without a Bill but Rowley may be able to do more tinkering through secondary legislation – to remove red tape and extend permitted development.
- He can start setting up development corporations just using secondary legislation. Sunak announced one for Euston station but he could go looking for others.
- Labour’s decision to position itself as in favour of big housebuilding (and to gently question green belt protections) gives Rowley a bit more room to pose as being in favour of sensible and popular development which doesn’t destroy the countryside and which local councils control – if that’s how he wants to be seen.
- It’s possible an opportunity may come up to have another vote on relaxing the nutrient neutrality rules – that allowed the Conservatives a nice chance to undermine Labour earlier this year.
